CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Department of Health Center for Health Development–Northern Mindanao (DOH-10) reported that 32 workplaces in Northern Mindanao were certified as “Mother-Baby Friendly” in 2025

The update was presented at a meeting with members of the technical working group of the Regional Nutrition Committee-10 on March 17.

Through quarterly monitoring by the Regional Infant and Young Child Feeding (RIYCF) Task Force, DOH-10 certified workplaces in Misamis Occidental (14), Bukidnon (7), Misamis Oriental (5), Lanao del Norte (3), and Camiguin (1). Two workplaces in Iligan City were also certified.

Republic Act 10028, or the Expanded Breastfeeding Promotion Act of 2009, requires health and non-health facilities, establishments, and institutions to establish lactation stations to support breastfeeding mothers in the workplace.

DOH-10 Nutritionist-Dietitian Stephanny C. Lim said a workplace is certified as “Mother-Baby Friendly” if it provides breastfeeding facilities and equipment and grants a 40-minute lactation break for mothers to express milk during work hours.

Employees and personnel are also required to be oriented on the institution’s breastfeeding policy.

Lim said the number of certified workplaces increased from 15 in 2024.

She underscored the importance of the facilities, saying, “It creates an environment where the basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs of mothers and infants are met through breast milk expression and storage.”

The DOH said it will continue to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding through regional initiatives.

“Recognizing that working mothers face unique challenges in continuing optimal breastfeeding practices, the DOH aims to foster an enabling environment where women can successfully balance work and maternal responsibilities, ultimately giving their growing child a chance to be breastfed optimally,” said Family Health Cluster Head Dr. Elma Oclarit.

“Let us give each child a chance to reach their own optimal potential by giving the best, and breast milk is the best for babies,” she added.

The RIYCF Task Force will conduct its second-quarter monitoring in Camiguin. A first-semester meeting is scheduled in June to review findings, make recommendations, and plan strategies to strengthen the implementation of RA 10028. (GDA/PIA-10)